In addition to an extensive programme of general recruiting activity, all three Services have specialist ethnic minority recruiting and outreach teams which undertake many and varied initiatives aimed at encouraging more young people from our minority communities into joining the armed forces. For example:
The Royal Navy’s Diversity Recruiting and Awareness Team give presentations in schools and colleges, to community and faith leaders; organising and operating five-day Personal Development Courses; attending careers events; and attending cultural and religious festivals and events.
The Army’s Diversity Action Recruiting Team (DART) provides role models to young people from ethnic minorities at recruiting events throughout the country. Within DART there are Community Liaison Officers who engage and develop relationships with key figures within the ethnic minority communities in their respective regions. DART attends some 650-700 events each year.
On 20 January, the RN’s Diversity Action Team invited a group of young people from the Small Heath (predominantly Muslim) area of Birmingham to take part in an RN Introduction Day. The Team has been working with a sub branch of the UK Islamic Mission called the Urban Development Foundation-part of a five month EM recruiting drive focusing on the Small Heath and Handsworth area of the city.
The Army’s participation in Bid celebrations in Bradford and Nottingham and a visit to an East London Muslim community and Mosque.
The RAF’s work with the Pakistani community in Leeds.
The armed forces have for the past three years sponsored an award at the annual Muslim News Awards and will again sponsor this year’s awards.
The RAF’s Motivational Outreach Team is responsible for promoting the Service in major communities. Their work is augmented by Careers Liaison Officers, Community Careers Liaison Officers and a network of Youth Activity Liaison Officers across the UK. They participate in schools’ careers conventions, festivals and melas and sporting events, visit youth organisations, and Air Training Corps Squadrons and Combined Cadet Force contingents, and arrange visits for EMs to RAF stations.